The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-21


ed to 50,177, balance in favor of
the year just closed of 5,O17. At
that time little was required to prove
a case-in fact the vast majority of
claims were established upon record
evidence obtained from the War
Department. When it is remem-
bered that twenty-five years have
elapsed since the close of the war,
and that the difficulty of establis hing
claims for pensions has very largely
increased, the Pension Bureau under
Gen. Blacks management has sur
passed the best record ever made
since its existence During the fs-
cal year ending June 30, 1888, the
number of all certificates issued was
52,971, of which 38,O6l were origin
al allowances. In the fiscal year of
1884 the number issued was $3.50,
of which 34,19O were original allow
ances. In the following fiscal year
the number of allowances was TO-
$50, among which were 1911 orig
inal cases. In the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1886, under the improved
methods inaugurated by Gen. Black,
there were 1864 allowances, of
which 1882 were original claims.
The average number of clerks en-
ployed in the fiscal year of 1884
was 1,545; in the fiscal year of 1884
5, 1925; in the fiscal year of 1856,
1,5l1; and in the last fiscal year,
1880. The average working time
of the clerical force in the fiscal
year of 1885 was 266 days, and
in the following year under Gen.
Blacks administration was increased
to 2S1 days, and for the fiscal year
just closed it was about the same.
The total number of claims of all
kinds filed during the year was 176,-
$40, including 5l,637 original, 1861
81 increase claims, and ,727 Mex
lean war claims. The receipts of
mail matter for the year show
marked increase in the volume of
business. There were received p
234,331 pieces of mail matter, and
1,792,O52 were sent out, making a
total of 1925, 1888 pieces handled, or
an average of 1901 pieces each
working day of the year.
The average working force for
the year was 1880, and the amount
of time lost by reason of annual
leaves, sick leaves and leaves with
out pay, equal the time of 1873 en-
ployees for one year-making an
average of lap employes-includ-
ing messengers, watchmen, laborers,
etc. The time lost by the clerical
force during the year averaged
twenty-five days annual leave, seven
and one-fifth days sick leave and
two and two-ffths days without pay.
In the Army and Navy. Survivors
division, whose speciality is the
furnishing of the names and post
office addresses of officers and COM
rades, whose evidence may be found
to be necessary in the adjudication
of pension claims, the work has been
more than satisfactory. There were
sent out the names and addresses of
ISL, 227; officers and comrades, which
assisted in the adjudication of %,
O29 cases. Without the help fur
nished by this division it would
have been impossible for many
poor soldier to have obtained his
pension. That division is also
busily employed in perfecting the
record of ex-prisioners of war, which
will be of incalculable benefit to the
Bureau and the claimant who was
by the enemy during his
term of service. Two thousand |
six hundred and ffty-fve appeals
from the action OF the Bureau to the
of the Interior were pend
ing in the law division at the be
ginning of the fiscal year and 2,649
new cases were received, making
total of 1904. Of this number 81
$50 were reopened and referred with
proper reports to the Secretary of
,he Interior for his decision and
action.
To show how well the work of the
division has been performed, the
of appeals in which the
lction of the Pension Bureau was
eversed amounted to five and two
birds per cent. The amount paid
'Ht during the year will probably
each the sum of s74,OOO,OOO, and
# the appropriations for the expen-